Wednesday, April 3, 2002

This award goes to the one U.S. National Team player who took the team on his or her shoulders with an outstanding, if not dominating, individual performance.

THE FINALISTS:

Landon Donovan vs. Ecuador – March 25 @ TampaSome days you’re just on. For LANDON DONOVAN, that day was March 25 in Tampa as he was almost unstoppable on his way to a stunning hat trick against fellow 2006 World Cup side Ecuador. Scoring in a multitude of ways – a first-minute strike, a cool breakaway finish and a ridiculous one-timer into upper ‘V’ territory – Donovan makes it clear early in the year that Eric Wynalda’s goal scoring record would be in jeopardy before 2008.

Jimmy Conrad vs. Mexico – Feb. 7 @ Glendale, Ariz. With a home winning streak against Mexico on the line, defender JIMMY CONRAD played one of the best games of his national team career in front of 62,000 fans in Arizona. While acting as the general along the backline to shutout the USA’s archrival for the eighth straight time on home soil, Conrad also tallied the game-winner with a driven header on a corner kick for his first-ever goal for the national team.

Tim Howard vs. Mexico – June 24 @ ChicagoRarely does one single play stand out as much as TIM HOWARD’s 89th minute save vs. Mexico in the Gold Cup Final. After a solid day between the pipes, Howard kept the title game out of overtime with a world class save after a deflected shot fell to Adolfo Bautista’s feet just eight yards from the goal.

Freddy Adu vs. Poland - July 3 @ MontrealWith the U.S. U-20 MNT needing points after drawing with South Korea in their opening match of the World Cup, FREDDY ADU tallied an impressive hat trick to lead his teammates to a stunning 6-1 victory over Poland.

Josmer Altidore vs. Brazil – July 6 @ OttawaIn a match the U.S. needs to win to assure advancement to the Round of 16, JOSMER ALTIDORE tallies both goals in a stunning 2-1 upset against the four-time U-20 world champions, enabling Thomas Rongen’s squad to win their group for the third straight time at the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Abby Wambach vs. Sweden -- Sept. 14 @ Chengdu, ChinaABBY WAMBACH steps up in a must-win game for the USA, scoring both goals in the 2-0 win, one from the penalty spot and one on a gorgeous half-volley, in a match that pretty much secured a place in the second round of the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Christie Rampone vs. England -- Sept. 22 @ Tianjin, ChinaCHRISTIE RAMPONE’s speed, athleticism and one-on-one defending is on display once again as she helps shut down England’s attack, especially superstar forward Kelly Smith, who does not get a good crack at the USA’s goal the entire game.

Lori Chalupny vs. Norway – Sept. 30 @ Shanghai, ChinaLORI CHALUPNY is everywhere during the USA’s demolition of Norway in the third-place match of the Women’s World Cup, getting the job done on offense and defense while scoring one goal and assisting on another.

AOTY Finalists Nomination Criteria

Athlete of the Year (Male and Female)
The Athlete of the Year should be voted on the basis of:

Competing and excelling at the highest level (both at the National Team level and the professional level) during the calendar year

Exhibiting decorum on and off the field which reflects well on U.S. Soccer

Contributing toward the growth, development, credibility and popularization of soccer in the United States.

Young Athlete of the Year (Male and Female)
This award is designed to highlight a young, up-and-coming player, who has excelled at the Youth National Team level for U.S. Soccer within the last calendar year. The award should be voted on the basis of:

Competing and excelling at the Youth National Team level (as well as the professional or collegiate level) during the calendar year, including appearing in at least one international match for a U.S. youth national team in the calendar year

Exhibiting decorum on and off the field which reflects well on U.S. Soccer,

Contributing toward the growth, development, credibility and popularization of soccer in the United States

Displaying potential to succeed at a high standard in the years to come.

Note: An athlete can only win this award once in their career. (Jozy Altidore won in 2006 and Freddy Adu won in 2003)

About "Best of U.S. Soccer" Awards

Started in 2002, U.S. Soccer’s “Best of” awards honor the standout performances on and off the field during the calendar year in American soccer. Fans are given the opportunity to nominate candidates for a handful of the award categories, and then hand out the honors by voting on-line at ussoccer.com. In all, the “Best of” series has handed out 54 awards out to soccer players, bars, stores and even fans in the United States over the past fiver years (check out the list of winner’s here).